Dealing with the doping menace

Since the 2002 Commonwealth Games, India has faced major embarrassment in international sports because of doping by leading sportspersons. If the malady used to be deep in weightlifting, it has now spread alarmingly across Indian athletics. The news that eight athletes, including three members of the 2010 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games gold-medal winning 4x400 relay quartet, Mandeep Kaur, Ashwini Akkunji and Sin Jose, have tested positive is a matter of shame. Predictably, all have pleaded innocence, triggering a blame game. The suspicion points to coaches and administrators. In a quick response to the public outrage, the Sports Ministry has sacked the coach of the relay team from Ukraine, Yuriy Ogorodonik. Indian coaches who were assisting him have also been placed under suspension. Measures aimed at cleansing the system have been initiated, with Mukul Mudgal, former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and an expert in sports law, being appointed to enquire into the modus operandi of doping in Indian athletics.

Where the lure of money, privilege, and fame becomes irresistible, many athletes turn to doping as a short cut to success. Several coaches and doctors aid the racket. Sports administrators, if they are not directly complicit, often turn a Nelson's eye to the goings-on in the camps so long as success is ensured to enlarge their own influence. The logic of sending teams for training to Ukraine and other countries, with the same set of coaches who have been assisting them in India, is difficult to understand. This policy needs to be reviewed. The current scourge appears to be a calculated fraud by coaches, doctors, misguided athletes, and unscrupulous officials. Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken must be commended for making a tough stand against doping and stepping in boldly to make it clear that there will be zero tolerance of such practices. He surely knows that the malaise is deep-seated and that dismissing the foreign coach, who denies any wrongdoing, touches only the fringe. A thorough probe and stiff penalties for those abusing the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) code will help curb this menace. The public mood favours withdrawing the rewards and awards from the offending athletes. Since 2006, Indian athletes have remained prominently on the international dope-testing radar — without actually getting caught. Now, with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) playing a leading role in catching the culprits, there is new hope that the dope cheats will be weeded out. Mr. Maken's insistence that punishment should be meted out to coaches and officials, apart from the athletes, reflects the mood of the sports fraternity.

All teams use steroids and more to excel. The point is how to use and wean it off at the correct time. The step to take steroids was not wrong since winning matters and at international circles its a all together different world - a world which many of the commentators and the editor has no knowledge..The rule is "thou shall not be caught."

from:
Dinakar

Posted on: Jul 14, 2011 at 23:00 IST

No matter how much investigations are being carried out, it is imperative that we first try to list down and figure out what compounds we test are categorized as unsuitable for the body. Even a pain killer which comes in so many names, improved antibiotics taken during viral fever or any other ailments can be a source. We cannot expect an athlete to be a pharmacist! Sportsperson know that actions like these can come to limelight easily. Even if incidences happen, indicate that somewhere there is a lack of knowledge on the part of the athlete, coach or authorities. A practical approach to such events is essential.

from:
Jyothi Nagraj

Posted on: Jul 14, 2011 at 14:07 IST

We should not be carried away by the recent doping controversy. Actually this is a very unfortunate incident. We have to press our demand for more transparency and accountability in each and every government department because secrecy and apathy have done great harm to Indian society.After CWG-19 there was a hope that Indian athletes are doing their best to make india a proud nation and solely we are emerging in sports also but doping scandal has some what shattered our dream.now the need of hour is to wipe out all forms of corruption from our society so that our next generation of athletes will not face such type of humiliation.

from:
Niraj Kumar

Posted on: Jul 13, 2011 at 22:55 IST

It is a matter of great shame that the Indian athletes recent achievements in commonwealth Games have been obliterated by the doping scandal. the recent successes had given a hope to the indian fans of athletics that this time India will figure in medal tally with higher ranking, but unfortunately that dream may remain still far fetched. For it not only the athletes, but also the coaches and the administrators are responsible. As all are in lure of money, name and fame and enduring influence over the sports bodies, resort to short term measures. for it, somewhere The sports ministry and its lackadasical attitude to sports and its nurturing and growth is responsible. If we want to see that the confidence of the New india should reflect in sports as well, the government will also have to come out with a sports policy with far sighted impacts. For it, the ministry will also have to take the active cooperation of the sportpersons who have set examples with their exemplary behaviour.

from:
Balendushekhar Mangalmurty

Posted on: Jul 12, 2011 at 19:30 IST

Have you ever heard that any indian cricketer has found positive during a dope test ; never. Why is this ; because they are provided great facilities; like foreign coaches ; physios and all other support staff of high caliber. But these poor athletes who enjoys staying in good hotels during big games, wearing good and new shoes provided by GOI during big events , but after those events the man who wins medals is known and looked after. But rest of all goes into a big dark room. where no body comes to help and support them. In this type of scenario how one could expect them to do well . As they are not familiar with the things going around , whatever their coaches or some other says to them , they follow and get caught in this menace. GOI should help these athletes during there downfall and provide a lumpsum budget for athletics also . which should be used for the welfare of these athletes .

from:
Amit Badole

Posted on: Jul 12, 2011 at 18:58 IST

The media should strive hard to publish the 257 names in the sealed cover so as to let the country men know what was going on in the Athletic circles. The menace of doping has already shown the country in the poor light and in order to fight this menace efficaciously, it is better to have the best sports men to take charge as administrators of the sports bodies.

from:
P.S. Srinivas

Posted on: Jul 12, 2011 at 15:42 IST

This really is a matter that has brought infernal embarassement and shame to our country.Fews months back i was ectasic on seeing the girls being felicitated on aa leading news channel.i felt great sense of pride and dignity on seeing them receive such prestigious with aplomb , but today when i came to know about this egregious news i am filled with rancor against these athletes.Surely this will attract a lot of bad name to our country and will plant seeds of cynicism against our athletes participating in any international events.The sacked coach pleads innocence and rebuffs accusations of wrongdoings or complicity , but this apparently seems to be a concerted ploy.There needs to be a thorough and rigorous investigation to exhume many truths and realities related to the doping scandal and punitive actions meted out to those complicit to send out a message loud and clear so that our country is spared further national embarassement in the future from such menacing trends

from:
Raju

Posted on: Jul 12, 2011 at 14:39 IST

Just when India was beginning to rise in the sports arena like phoenix, its true colours have once again been exposed. It is really shameful to see that top atheletes who have competed in world class events are not aware of the doping policy and its implications. The article covers most of the problems that plague the situation. However, now with most of the candidates facing a certain ban and with the olympics just around the corner, once again I fear India will have to settle for just a silver medal as in 2004 or just one gold medal as in 2008. hope i am wrong!.

from:
Bharath

Posted on: Jul 12, 2011 at 12:06 IST

it is a very shameful act which annhilated the reputation of India. Who is going to take onus for this action - the sports administration,the coaches or the athletes who are saying that they were coercedly allowed to take those drugs. Though the statement seems to be ostensible but it creates a doubt of evasiveness among the people of nation which lead to their furore.the sudden arraival of money,fame and reputation may create a desire of such facile actions. However the sports authority also must be responsible for its gambling action of sending our sports men to other nations for training instead of creating suitable conditions here.overall lets hope that the coming new sportsman will not encourage such devious actions.

from:
Rakesh Sharma

Posted on: Jul 12, 2011 at 11:06 IST

It is a timely one again highlighting the bane of doping in Indian sports.It has fetched lots of reproach and embarrassment to our country. "Dismissing the coach is only a fringe" is spot on from the editor. But, its probably too early for that.Nowadays sportsmen fancy easier routes to fame & success no matter how flawed it is.It has much to do with the guidance they get. Makan has rightly taken charge of the situation,in lieu of blaming admins and coaches outrightly. His approach of investigating fastidiously and showing zilch clemency to doping is appreciable too,just like his view on sports bill.But all this is possible by appointing right ppl.for inquiry.He should bring in phy.edn. experts for inquiring, which is contradictory to what he has done by appointing Mr Mudgal, who is sports law expert.Though,Makan insists on introducing rotation policy and increasing no.of doctors,its an arduous task to bring back nation's repute marred by doping scams.It has begun well,hope it goes on.